Fellows warmly received by the fishing industry and the University of Akureyri in northern Iceland
Fifteen fellows from the 2026–27 cohort of the GRÓ Fisheries Training Programme recently completed their annual Northern Trip, a week-long field excursion designed to complement the introductory phase of the programme.
Representing 10 countries across Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, the fellows travelled through North Iceland where they were warmly received by companies, education and research organisations and government institutions that shared their knowledge and experience in the Icelandic fisheries.
The programme began at the University of Akureyri (UNAK), where fellows attended lectures on the development of Iceland's fisheries sector and the fisheries management system that has evolved around it, including contributions from specialists at the Directorate of Fisheries.
The following days took the group to Siglufjörður, Dalvík, Húsavík and the Mývatn region.
In Siglufjörður, fellows visited the shrimp-processing company Rammi and the Herring Museum, where they learned about the town's history, the collapse of the herring industry and subsequent efforts to create new economic opportunities.
In Dalvík, visits included seafood processing facilities operated by Samherji, the fish auction market Fiskmarkaður Norðurlands, and Sæplast, a company whose insulated tubs are used throughout the seafood industry. These visits provided insight into modern seafood processing, auction systems and the broader network of industries that support fisheries.
The programme continued in Húsavík with visits to GPG Seafood and the Whale Museum. Alongside a guided tour of the museum, fellows were introduced to whale-entanglement research through a presentation delivered by the University of Iceland Research Centre in Húsavík.
The final field excursion began with a visit to Slippurinn GND in Akureyri before continuing to the Mývatn region. There, fellows visited a traditional fish smokehouse at Skútustaðir farm and several natural and cultural landmarks, including Dimmuborgir.
Throughout the week, fellows explored topics ranging from fisheries governance and seafood value chains to innovation and regional development, while also exchanging experiences and perspectives from their own countries and professional backgrounds.
GRÓ FTP would like to thank all companies, institutions, organisations and individuals who welcomed the group and contributed to the success of this year's Northern Trip. Their openness and generosity provided the fellows with valuable insight into Icelandic fisheries and coastal communities.